2 Ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ), copper boron azole (CBA), copper azole type B (CA-B), etc. 3 CPSC Staff Recommendations for Identifying and Controlling Lead Paint on Public Playground Equipment; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Washington, DC, October 1996. 12 Handbook for Public Playground Safety • Older playgrounds with lead based paints should be identified and a strategy to control lead paint exposure should be developed. Playground managers should consult the October 1996 report, CPSC Staff Recommendations for Identifying and Controlling Lead Paint on Public Playground Equipment, while ensuring that all paints and other similar finishes meet the current CPSC regulation.3 2.5.5 Wood • Wood should be either naturally rot- and insect-resistant (e.g., cedar or redwood) or should be treated to avoid such deterioration. • Creosote-treated wood (e.g., railroad ties, telephone poles, etc) and coatings that contain pesticides should not be used. 2.5.5.1 Pressure-treated wood A significant amount of older playground wood was pressure-treated with chemicals to prevent damage from insects and fungi. Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) was a chemical used for decades in structures (including playgrounds). Since December 31, 2003, CCA-treated wood is no longer processed for use in playground applications. Other rot- and insect-resistant pressure treatments are available that do not contain arsenic; however, when using any of the new treated wood products, be sure to use hardware that is compatible with the wood treatment chemicals. These chemicals are known to corrode certain materials faster than others. Existing playgrounds with CCA-treated wood Various groups have made suggestions concerning the application of surface coatings to CCA-treated wood (e.g., stains and sealants) to reduce a child’s potential exposure to arsenic from the wood surface. Data from CPSC staff and EPA studies suggest that regular (at least once a year) use of an oil- or water-based, penetrating sealant or stain can reduce arsenic migration from CCA-treated wood. Installers, builders, and consumers who perform woodworking operations, such as sanding, sawing, or sawdust disposal, on pressure-treated wood should read the consumer information sheet available at the point of sale. This sheet contains important health precautions and disposal information. • All fasteners should be corrosion resistant and be selected to minimize corrosion of the materials they connect. This is particularly important when using wood treated with ACQ/CBA/CA-B2 as the chemicals in the wood preservative corrode certain metals faster than others. • Bearings or bushings used in moving joints should be easy to lubricate or be self-lubricating. • All hooks, such as S-hooks and C-hooks, should be closed (see also §5.3.8.1). A hook is considered closed if there is no gap or space greater than 0.04 inches, about the thickness of a dime. 2.5.3 Metals • Avoid using bare metal for platforms, slides, or steps. When exposed to direct sunlight they may reach temperatures high enough to cause serious contact burn injuries in a matter of seconds. Use other materials that may reduce the surface temperature, such as but not limited to wood, plastic, or coated metal (see also Slides in §5.3.6). • If bare or painted metal surfaces are used on platforms, steps, and slide beds, they should be oriented so that the surface is not exposed to direct sun year round. 2.5.4 Paints and finishes • Metals not inherently corrosion resistant should be painted, galvanized, or otherwise treated to prevent rust. • The manufacturer should ensure that the users cannot ingest, inhale, or absorb potentially hazardous amounts of preservative chemicals or other treatments applied to the equipment as a result of contact with playground equipment. • All paints and other similar finishes must meet the current CPSC regulation for lead in paint. • Painted surfaces should be maintained to prevent corrosion and deterioration. • Paint and other finishes should be maintained to prevent rusting of exposed metals and to minimize children playing with peeling paint and paint flakes.
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